Stan Van Gundy

The heavy set guy shouting at half court is the head coach of the Orlando Magic, Stan Van Gundy. His Magic are cruising in the fourth quarter with a 20-point cushion, yet Van Gundy is irate after a Magic defensive breakdown. Despite the lead, the coach was sure he was not about to let it go unnoticed.

Dwight Howard often mimics his coach, yelling in a joking tone. It’s a nice release for Howard who knows his coach is at best uptight. Brutally Direct probably exemplifies Van Gundy. He rarely smiles, and if he does its usually sarcastic in nature. The coach of the Orlando Magic may be tough and hardy but its clear he is knows how to coach.

With a 215-75 record in just his third season with the Magic, his success as a coach has been unprecedented. His motto of “defend and rebound, everything else will fall into place,” has provided a stingy defensive team behind the 2010 defensive player of the year, Dwight Howard. The Magic haven’t dipped below the 50 win margin since Van Gundy’s arrival. First he helped the Magic advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time in 10 years. A year later he propelled the Magic into the bright lights of the Finals, a feat that hadn’t been done since 1995. Now the Orlando Magic have established themselves as consistent contenders.

Following a disappointing sweep at the hands of the Detroit Pistons in 2007, the Magic fired head coach Brian Hill. The coach of Florida University, Billy Donovan, was the primary choice when it came to finding a replacement. Donovan pulled a no-show at the altar and Van Gundy was there to pick up the bride. The Magic, after being rejected by Donovan, looked to Stan Van Gundy. It proved to be a lucky break for a Magic front office which had made many ill advised roster transactions and hiring’s up to that point. Van Gundy quickly showed interest in the position, and ever since has proved his hiring was the best decision for the rising Franchise.

Riding the gigantic shoulders of Dwight Howard, Van Gundy was building a winning team. He consistently pressured Howard demanding everything and more from his perennial All-Star. Howard was instructed to focus on rebounding and defense. It since has had a huge impact on his success as leads the league in rebounds and blocked shots. The transaction of Rashard Lewis and the emergence of Hedo Turkoglu gave Van Gundy mismatches which he used to exploit defenses. The Magic suddenly saw Howard elevate his game, and the Magic had a winning formula. As a coach, Van Gundy has been able to get the best out of his players.

Van Gundy certainly wasn’t the shinning knight Billy Donovan was to be. He was not riding a white horse, but his success has proven he was the correct man for the job. The Magic are maturing as Van Gundy continues to hold every single player accountable on every play. As the playoffs arrive, the Magic look to make noise again, aiming for an NBA Title. As for Van Gundy, you can always count on him to make some noise as well.

Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes is Gritty. Kobe Bryant wasn't phased by Barnes, but you could tell the superstar was not getting everything he wanted. Kobe was guarded by Barnes and Mickael Pietrus throughout the game. Bryant had a chance to tie the game as time expired. With Barnes on him, Kobe missed the shot far left and the Magic escaped with a victory.

The Finals rematch between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers was electric. With the game getting physical, both teams played tough playoff style basketball. The atmosphere alone was reminiscent of the Finals, with the Orlando Magic proving they weren't going to be pushed around again.

Nobody sent that message out clearer than Matt Barnes. A slight elbow by Kobe Bryant into Barnes began a confrontation. Many players would not dare to begin a dispute with Kobe Bryant. Kobe gave Barnes a stare and as the Magic were attempting to throw the ball in, Barnes faked a pass into the face of Bryant as if to dodge the ball. Bryant did not flinch.

The game continued to get physical. Howard and Gasol exchanged elbows. In one sequence Howard blocked Gosal, and Gosal retaliated by drawing a key foul on Howard. Howard later in the game dunked on Gosal after they were tangled up on a previous possession.

Last season the Magic made it to the Finals, perhaps prematurely. They lacked a physical and mental toughness. This season with Barnes and a tougher Howard, the Magic look new and improved. Against a Laker team which is perhaps the toughest in the league, the Magic held their own.

Barnes had been a veteran pick-up by the Magic in the summer. Now he has become a starter and his value on the defensive end is unprecedented. Barnes allows Pietrus to come off the bench. The two combined, present a great tag team when defending elite players like Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.

Recently Barnes and Lamar Odom have been exchanging words on Twitter following Sunday's match. Odom saying that it was the last time the teams would meet, (insinuating their would be no Finals rematch)said Barnes played like a "super hero." Barnes picked up the sarcasm. His twitter response went something like this, "Morning yall up early w/ the babies watchn Dora. Seems Lamar can’t keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons shitty diaper n it." Barnes gives the Magic a new toughness,even if it involves twitter.

Playing with a Big Heart

The reemergence of Jameer Nelson has brought the Orlando Magic back into contention form. Nelson has been hobbled with various injuries over the past two seasons. As an All-Star reserve last year, Nelson gained league recognition as the NBA coaches voted him into a reserve spot. Nelson has since established himself as a solid point guard. His leadership and consistent play will make the Magic a tough team in the upcoming playoffs.

With Rafer Alston at the helm, the Magic were able to reach the NBA Finals. Nelson made an unlikely return but his heroics fell short and the Magic lost to the Lakers in five games. Many questioned the coaching decision to play Nelson in the Finals series. He clearly was not in his best playing form, and many felt it destroyed the team chemistry.

Now that Nelson is playing consistent, the Magic are legitimate contenders. His ability to penetrate off of the screen and roll opens up perimeter shots and easy lobs for Dwight Howard. He also presents a threat as a scorer. Nelson has a solid inside-outside game and his chemistry with Howard has created a spike in the center's offensive production. As the team captain since 2006, Nelson has proven himself as a leader.

Against other Eastern Conference point guards Nelson has held his own. Mo Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers replaced Nelson in last season’s All-Star game. This season Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics earned an All-Star reserve spot. All three guards have led their teams to top records in their respective divisions. Williams is a great shooter but lacks the ability to dribble and drive effectively, Rondo is a fantastic passer and driver, but lacks a consistent shooting touch. Nelson is both able to drive and shoot with ease. His height has made it harder for him to drive, but with Howard in the middle, a lob pass can get a quick bucket.

Nelson has made several big shots in his career including one against the Lakers last season, and a couple against the Cavaliers this past month. The little point guard from Chester, Pennsylvania has a big heart and a fearless mentality. Now coming off of two serious injuries, its safe to say he has made a name for himself and has proven his resiliency. During the postseason Nelson will get a chance to prove the Magic are a different animal when he is healthy and in the driver's seat.

Guilty Conscience

Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall recently testified that he may have “escalated” an altercation which led to the killing of teammate Darrent Williams early on New Year’s Day 2007.

The first-degree murder trial involves Willie Clark, 26, as the alleged gunman. Another man, Daniel Harris, was also accompanying Clark the night of the altercation.
As a witness in the trial, Marshall remembered how he and another teammate approached Clark and Harris to defuse an altercation in the VIP section of a club in downtown Denver. Darrent Williams was sitting nearby with family and friends. A cousin of Darrent Williams allegedly began an argument after spraying Clark and Harris with champagne. Marshall initially thought nothing of it.

As the party concluded Clark and Harris threw up hand gestures towards Williams and his group reigniting the conflict. Marshall, angered by the continuation of the dispute, remembers antagonizing Clark and Harris, joking that they had no gun. He was wrong.

Marshall admitted he escalated the initial argument, “I kind of got angry at the time and probably escalated the situation, but I got angry because it was New Year's and we were trying to have fun.”
The anger may have also stem from earlier convincing a bouncer into allowing the men into the club. This upset Marshall because the men he advocated for eventually restarted the conflict later in the night and proved to be trouble.

With Marshall admitting his involvement in the murder of Darrent Williams, many interesting questions have arised. Does Marshall’s association to the murders have anything to do with his desire to leave Denver? Could it be attributed to his bad experience with the city, or the guilty feelings he has recently expressed during the trial? Other teammates experienced similar feelings which made playing in Denver virtually impossible.

Former Broncos receiver Javon Walker was in the vehicle when Williams was shot. The team soon grew critical of Walker’s mental state which led to his release in the offseason. Walker was noted for cradling Williams as he bled to death. Certain players close to Williams, or those involved in the altercation, soon departed from the team as well. Tatum Bell was traded, while good friend Al Wilson was released. Many felt Tatum Bell, a college teammate of Williams, no longer desired to play for the Broncos. Wilson was initially traded to the Giants, but after failing the physical, was released. Wilson, the defensive team captain, was also deeply affected by the murder and perhaps requested a trade.

This pattern shows the effects of the murder on certain players. Marshall perhaps desired to leave Denver much earlier because of the murder as well, or maybe it was the accumulated guilt concerning the escalation of the argument.

One thing is for sure, the trial involving the death of Williams proved hard for those involved. For Marshall it may present an opportunity to release suppressed emotions. The case not only provides justice for the vicious murder, but it may also create closure for Marshall. His departure out of Denver, which many believe is imminent, could be altered if the true source of his persistence to leave is understood.